A festive year for the Tyrolean marksmen

The year 2025 holds numerous anniversaries in store for the shooting clubs in the Alpine region. These celebrations should be celebrated as they fall: 75th anniversary of the Federation of Tyrolean Rifle Companies and the Tyrolean Rifle Association as well as 50 years of the Alpine region of marksmen. Under the motto "Our passion is Tyrol", there will not only be a Large regional shooting event from April 12 to June 15, 2025 at 25 shooting ranges throughout the country, but also a Ceremony on May 10, 2025 in Innsbruck will take place.

The rifle companies stand for customs and tradition. Their historical roots lie in the military defense of the country, but that was a long time ago. Today, customs are in the foreground and the focus is on (attention, this phrase actually exists:) "spiritual" national defense.
In Tyrol - even today hardly a traditional festival is conceivable without their marching and participation. As a village child, I know that marksmen are an integral part of rural life and that clubs in general play an important role in social cohesion.

As a child, the "purpose" of certain clubs was not entirely clear to me if it wasn't obvious, like the fire department, for example. The marksmen were such a difficult case. The fact that my father became a member of the shooting club didn't make things any easier. To be honest, I wasn't a fan. I know all the stupid things people say about shooters.

In the meantime, I've finally grown up and am aware of the respectable principles of the rifle companies, which are (quote): a Christian, occidental world view, commitment to the concerns of the ancestral homeland and the people, comradely bonds across political borders and the preservation of customs. I still find it difficult that a company full of men regularly carry weapons into church. It still doesn't fit in with my pacifist image of peace. But of course I have "come to terms" with the association and, I have to be honest, I too would prefer the Gun salutes during processions would be missing.

That the Tyrolean freedom fights of 1809 were important and formative for the Tyrolean marksmen is obvious. However, the roots actually go back much further. And not just to the Tiroler Landlibell of 1511, in which Emperor Maximilian I stipulated that the provincial estates had to perform military service in defense of the provincial borders, but all the way back to the Middle Ages and the constitution of the estates of 1323.

I'm probably not the only one wondering why, with such a long history, "only" 75 and 50 years are being celebrated this year. Well, this year's anniversaries are not about the individual companies, but the umbrella organization that connects them. And this association only came into being after a dark chapter: during the Nazi era from 1938 to 1945, the Tyrolean shooting clubs were instrumentalized by the National Socialists for propaganda purposes and to influence the population ideologically. This period was comprehensively reworked in the Tyrolean Rifle Companies. The book "Die Tiroler Schützen in der NS-Zeit 1938-1945" by the renowned historian Dr. Michael Forcher.

After the Second World War, the riflemen definitely needed a new start. And this took place in April 1950 with the founding of the umbrella organization, the Federation of Tyrolean Rifle Companies. Today, this association has around 17,000 members in 235 companies. The 75th anniversary is being celebrated in style this year.

25 years later, in April 1975, the Alpine Region of Shooters was founded. This umbrella organization includes the shooting associations of historic Tyrol and Bavaria: Bund der Bayrischen Gebirgsschützen (BBGS), Bund der Tiroler Schützenkompanien (BTSK), Südtiroler Schützenbund (SSB) and Welschtiroler Schützenbund (WSB). This 50th anniversary will also be celebrated in style.

The Tyrolean Shooting Association is the association for sport shooting with crossbow, rifle, pistol and muzzleloader. The Tiroler Landesschützenbund is the only association that is listed both as a traditional association and as a sports association. "Success through concentration" is the guiding principle in this demanding sport.

I talk to a marksman from my circle of friends about this rather unusual sport. He has been shooting a small-caliber pistol (also known as a "fire pistol") for almost 20 years. In summer (season from April to September), he shoots outside at the shooting range at 25 meters or even 50 meters ("free pistol"). In winter, on the other hand, you move indoors and shoot at a distance of ten meters.
At district, regional or national championships, 40 or 60 shots have to be fired, which can take an hour at the shooting range. And you simply have to be fit, but also have concentration and coordination.

I ask the pistol shooter what the attraction of shooting is for him after all these years. And he says - with a twinkle in his eye: "In theory, it's quite simple: hold the gun steady, aim accurately and hit the center if possible. But in practice, it's always an exciting challenge."

The athletes of the Tyrolean and Austrian Shooting Federations continue to impress at international competitions, and they were at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with them. Girls and women are visibly catching up and are gradually making the male-dominated sport more feminine. Strong!

On April 12, 2025, the big national shooting event literally kicked off. This organizationally impressive event was heralded in with a beautiful opening ceremony at the historic Bergisel. Shooting competitions will take place at 25 shooting ranges throughout Tyrol until June 15, 2025.
April 12 was a warm spring Saturday, which people around Innsbruck spent depending on their (perceived) age and disposition either at the Ugly Skiing Day in the Axamer Lizumat the Easter market in Innsbruck's city center or tradition-consciously at Bergisel. I opted for a dirndl and Bergisel, fully in line with the blog order.

Around the large Andreas-Hofer-Monument was surrounded by marksmen from all over the Alpine region. The marksmen's coats ranged in color from light and wine red to violet, dark and light blue, petrol, grass, olive and moss green to brown and grey. Socks and hats were presented in all variations. The honorary company provided the Schützenkompanie Weerand the musical accompaniment was provided by the Musikkapelle Baumkirchen.

After a brief welcome to the guests of honor, there was an explanation of the course of the festivities and the upcoming customary state reception, which incidentally only exists in this form in one federal state, namely Tyrol, and whose roots go back to the time of the monarchy. The overall command for this lay with the provincial commander, Major Thomas Saurer, and the ceremony began with the parade of the formations.

The extremely polite procedure with the commands was a highlight for me, as the provincial commander reported several times to the provincial governor Anton Mattlefor example: "... please allow us to begin with the customary reception." The governor replied: "Permission granted, please begin with the customary reception ..."

After an acoustic signal (bravo to the trumpeter!), a series of other commands were followed by a salute, which is considered the highest sign of honor and a symbol of peace. I was able to learn a few things up close: a salute signals that there are no more bullets in the barrel and therefore stands for trust and peace.

Finally, the band played the national anthem „Zu Mantua in Banden“ and you could feel that the marksmen standing at attention were here with conviction. What's more, none other than Andreas Hofer was looking down on them from his monument. I admit it: the anthem also stirred my (hidden) patriotic side. Nice!

A welcome schnapps was not to be missed, the Marketenderinnen went all round. The catchphrase „Zielwasser“ with regard to the upcoming opening shootout was heard several times.

During the subsequent welcoming speeches from politicians, the jubilant associations and the Tyrolean Imperial Hunters my thoughts wandered a little, but the emphasis on the traditional values that the marksmen represent and the camaraderie that is lived remained in my mind. Reference was also made to other commemorative days in 2025 that really need to be held in high regard: 80 years since the end of the Second World War, 70 years since the State Treaty and 30 years since Austria joined the EU. At first glance, these events have little to do with the Schützen, but on closer inspection, European values and peace efforts play a major role.

The wooden Festscheibe for the opening shoot was presented and eagerly photographed before lunch was served in front of Urichhaus.

The historic shooting ranges at Tiroler Kaiserjäger were prepared, secured and cordoned off for the opening shoot. Hearing protection was distributed all around Ohropax-. Shooting was at 100 meters with Swiss carbines.

There were ceremonial badges here and at the big national shoot there will be badges in bronze, silver and gold, and even a champion badge for the best shooters. The national shoot is "open to all", so guests can also try and prove their marksmanship skills.
The marksman I trust tells me that he thinks this is essential for an event like this, as it offers a rare opportunity for everyone to get to know this sport up close and try it out.

"Good shooting!" to all participants. The final event of the regional shooting competition, including the award ceremony, will take place in Schwaz on June 21, 2025.

On May 10, 2025, the Tyrolean marksmen will celebrate their big anniversary year with a festive ceremony will be held in Innsbruck. Around 1200 to 1500 participating marksmen from companies from the entire Alpine region are expected to attend. After a parade through the city center, a field mass and the ceremony will take place at the Landhausplatz will take place in Innsbruck.

My personal arrangement with the Schützen remains as it is. I appreciate the tradition. But of course, as a woman, I can't miss the fact that at a big opening event like the one on April 12 at Bergisel, all the women present can easily be counted on two hands.

The important role of the Sutlers and their hospitality is praised by everyone, but other female functions are not (yet) planned for the traditional marksmen. At least in shooting sports, female athletes are catching up fast. And in the Musikkapelle Mariahilf/St. Nikolaus the first male first male sutler has been marching at the front. Yes, why not?

I wonder what the future holds for the Tyrolean marksmen? I'm curious and would love to look ahead another 75 years..

Federation of Tyrolean Rifle Companies: Brixner Straße 1, 6th floor, 6020 Innsbruck, Tel. +43 512 566610, [email protected], www.tiroler-schuetzen.at

Tiroler Landesschützenbund: Brixner Straße 2/1, 6020 Innsbruck, Tel. +43 512 588190, [email protected], www.tlsb.at

I would like to congratulate the marksmen's anniversaries and thank the provincial commander Thomas Saurer for the invitation to the opening and to the press officer Alexander Haider for the cooperation and to Tina Stocker the Tiroler Landesschützenbund for their support.

Cover picture: © Innsbruck Tourism